Dad had heart attack a week ago and has gone downhill fast.Had family members here for 3 days and they kept waking Dad up each time he mumbled or shifted in bed. When he would "grab" at the air they would hold his hand and even if he went to make more "gestures" they didn't let go. They haven't seen him in 17 months. He sleeps with eyes open now and every time they walked in the house they said "good morning!" when he was actually asleep and woke him up. This went on for 3 days and today Dad has been sleeping a long time. He finally went to sleep last night around 730pm and it is now 130pm the next day. He wakes & tries to get out of bed to go to bathroom though he wears adult "diapers" and is in a hospital bed in living room. I can change him and give him more morphine (liquid as he can't swallow pills due to sleepiness) and he goes right back to sleep. His breathing is very shallow and his heart is making a swishing sound, no thumping. I feel sorry for him just lying there and wonder if this is his "time" to take care of his unfinished business. I am going to call Hospice to make sure I am doing what I can for him but I am also checking to see if anyone else has any information that may be helpful.
I would fluff and turn mom's pillows to get to "the cool side" for her. I don't know why I did that, except it was a little tiny thing I could do. I didn't move her, only covered her up. Her skin became kind of blotchy. Her little feet became very cool.
I never bothered mom while she was sleeping. I knew there was a process going on, and I didn't want to disturb it. When she passed day-before-yesterday, I went into her room to tend to her about 8 AM. It looked as if she was gone. I didn't touch her, because I knew if she hadn't passed, she was close. Didn't want to 'pull her back' -- if that was even possible. I knew hospice was coming at 9 am. So I just waited. The hospice nurse 'pronounced her' at 9:10 am.
Hang in there. Everything you've said tells us he's about done on this earthly plane, and is beginning a new and glorious journey.
Hang in there. I think he's
Again I sure do appreciate all your comments and all the great words and thoughts. I will rest when Dad does as this is a temporary situation and I am fine with being sleep deprived.
Love to all of you for all your kindness!!
When his time finally came, he had been bathed and hair washed and he looked so much better! I sat for several hours with him making sure he was comfortable and pain free. I made sure he knew I was there and that if he was afraid, I was there to comfort him and ease his fears. I spoke to him as if he understood, which I believe he did as I always let him know what was going on around him at all times. He was used to my voice and felt at ease when I spoke to him addressing the changing of his pants, the meds I was giving him and the activity going on in the house. I was so thankful and proud that it was him and I in those last hours as I felt that I could only gain the peace he and I needed by having those private moments together. When he passed, I held him like he was my newborn son and kept a tight grip on his hand letting him know that he would be okay and that I would be too. It was the most awesome experience I have had in a very long time. I am proud to be his daughter and words cannot express the joy I feel knowing that I helped him move on to his new adventure with ease and love in his heart. I will never forget those last hours with him nor will I ever forget how he always had my back and only wanted the best for me. He is my hero and forever will be. I miss him so much and these past 24 hours have been the hardest yet the most bittersweet that I have experienced ever! RIP Dear Dad...I shall never forget those great time we shared regardless of how stressed I became, you still kept your cool and kept me grounded. I send out loving thoughts to all of you still dealing with issues with parents, children or loved ones and hope and pray you find the solace I found in helping Dad transition from this world to the next. Peace and Love to all of you!!